Play Book Tag discussion

Based on the cover and title I was expecting a book about three women, but the book was primarily about one character, a Turkish woman named Peri. The book covers Peri’s childhood, her family, 2 years in college, her two roommates off campus, and I day in her life 16 years later. The book alternates between different time periods. In the present day, at a party, we learn that there was a scandal when she was in college, which isn’t explained until much later. (Her memories of her early life are compelling.) Peri grew up listening to her parents fight over religion, and later her college roommates do the same. She takes a seminar about God, with a charismatic professor who may have manipulated a social experiment. (view spoiler)[It wasn’t clear what the intent was, but it wasn’t an effective research design, nor an effective teaching exercise as far as I could tell. Keeping the girls in the dark violates long established ethical rules for both research and instruction. I also couldn’t tell why the professor’s writings or speeches about “the middle” were notable or controversial. (Aren’t most people “in the middle“ between devout believers and outspoken athiests?) I’m sure I just don’t know enough about it. ) (hide spoiler)]

In the present day, something dramatic is about to happen at the party. I think I missed the significance of this event both by itself, and in relation to the rest of the story. I would have liked to hear more about Peri’s life after college when she met her husband, because that sounds like a story I might like. It wasn’t clear how they are connected to the rich and powerful people at the party. (view spoiler)[Her reaction to the gun shots seemed strange to me. Did she worry about her husband? (hide spoiler)]